HOW WE HAVE ADAPTED OUR PRACTICE DURING COVID PANDEMIC

While we’re all affected in various ways by the COVID-19 pandemic, pregnant and birthing families are experiencing a unique set of challenges as doctor offices and hospitals continue to impose restrictions. This includes partners not being included during prenatal visits or ultrasound appointments, limitations on visitors and doulas, mandatory testing, separation of mother and baby if positive (or suspected to be positive), and much more.  At this time, we’re grateful to be able to allow partners and close family to participate in pregnancy care, as well as for our clients to be able to birth in the safety of our center, or their home, surrounded by healthy loved ones.   Although this is a very uncertain time, we’re doing our best to bring a sense of security and safety to our wonderful clients.

With that said, we want to provide additional assurances to our families that we are taking all possible precautions amid the COVID-19 pandemic to protect our clients, their families and our staff.  The situation on the ground – and the available evidence – changes frequently, sometimes several times a day; it’s important we remain abreast of available evidence-based information and are as flexible and understanding with each other as possible.

A reminder that we are an essential low-traffic, low-risk maternity center, with established safety and risk prevention standards in place, and we have been making appropriate adjustments to keep birthing persons and families as safe and healthy as possible.  In addition to all previous announcements with guidance around COVID-19, we have the following reminders and/or updates to share.

Clients please: 

• Know that we will continue to offer virtual prenatal appointments as an option for certain visits.  Midwives may consider decreased frequency of prenatal visits for appropriate clients.
•   Wait in assigned rooms (limited waiting in common areas).
•   Follow instructions posted upon entrance and throughout our office including, wearing a face covering, creating social distancing as best you can, use available hand sanitizer, and practice proper handwashing and cough etiquette.
•   Limit your asymptomatic visitors during appointments and birthing time to only those essential to your emotional and physical well-being.
•   Stay home if you or anyone in your household is symptomatic.
•   Understand that if you test positive for COVID-19, or are a person under investigation, you may be expected to quarantine until healthy.  These persons may not birth with SCM, and therefore be referred to the appropriate facilities for delivery if labor begins during this time.
•   Use your own pen at the front desk if possible (we are disinfecting pens after each use).
•   Be prepared to participate in virtual class instruction.
•   Bring your own filled water bottle, as we have temporarily removed our water dispenser in the lobby.

Cleaning and Disinfecting:

•   We will continue increased cleaning and disinfecting practices.
•   Children’s toys have been removed from all common areas for now.
•   The client care areas and rooms will be thoroughly sterilized after each use.
•   Frequently touched surfaces (door knobs, cabinet handles, counters, keyboards, phones, light switches, toilets, faucets, sinks) will be disinfected continuously.
•   Client care equipment (such as blood pressure cuffs, dopplers, machinery) and other exam room surfaces (counters, desktop, exam table, chair arms and backs, etc.) will be disinfected between clients.